10 Helpful Tips for After a Car Accident

– Car Accident Tip #1 –Do not admit fault at the scene.

Statements made at the scene can be used as evidence. State laws require you exchange insurance information and cooperate with any police investigation.

– Car Accident Tip #2 –File an accident report

State law requires a report be filed if an injury occurs or damage to a vehicle exceeds $500.

– Car Accident Tip #3 –Report the accident to your insurance agent

Your insurance company can refuse to protect you if the accident isn’t reported promptly.

– Car Accident Tip #4 –Ask your insurance agent about benefits available to you under your own policy

You may have coverage for car repair, rental cars, wage loss or medical bills under your policy. These benefits can be used while you wait to settle your claim with the other driver. Using these benefits will not raise your insurance rates if the accident wasn’t your fault.

– Car Accident Tip #5 –Cooperate with your insurance company

They may need to record your version of how the accident happened. They may want to inspect your car and speak with your doctors. Refusing to cooperate with your company may cause you to lose benefits.

– Car Accident Tip #6 –Do not, under any circumstances, sign documents for the other driver or their insurance company without seeking legal advice

Valuable rights can be lost and you may even lose benefits under your own policy by signing.

– Car Accident Tip #7 –Do not, under any circumstances, give a recorded or written statement to the other driver or their insurance company

Lawyers uniformly advise against letting someone record your voice. No state laws require you to do so. Even if you have nothing to hide these statements can be taken out of context and used against you later.